Roller for fireproof blinds.



No. 742,262. PATENTED 001211903;

. IVOLP.

ROLLER FOR FIRBPROOF BLINDS.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 24. 190s.. A No MODEL. A

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No. Maese.

UNITED STATES Patented october 27, 190e".

PATENT OEEICE.

JOHN vOLP, OE GROVE CITY, ORIO, AssieNOR 'ro THE K1NNEAR MANU EACTURING COMPANY, OE COLUMBUS, OHIO, A CORPORATION OE WEST VIRGINIA.

ROLLR FOR FlREPRooF BLiNDs.

SPECIFIATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 742,262, dated October 2*?, 1903.

Application led April 24, 1903. Serial No. 154,098. A(No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that LJHN VOLP, a citizen of the United States, residing at Grove City, in the county of Franklin and Stateof Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Rollers for Fireproof Blinds; and I do herebydecla're the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same. The object of this invention is twofold: first, to provide an improved spring-roller for metallic fire-resisting blinds, and, second, to provide improved means for eecting the connection between the spring or springs in such rollers and the sleeve or collar to which they are attached.

Heretofore in the sort of blinds that are automatically released upon Athe occurrence of fire the entire windin g or counterbalancing spring has been released and the blind, if heavy, descends with too great violence, endangering the integrity of the curtain. Further, in the manufacture of spring-rollers the connection of the counterbalancing or winding spring with the collar orl sleeve on the roller-supporting shaft hasbeen troublesome and expensive, becauseA it was'Y necessary to reheat the end of the spring to A`bend it into locking position in the collar.

The present invention therefore consists in the constructions, as hereinafter described and claimed, whereby the troubles recited are relieved.

In the accompanying drawings,illustrating one embodiment of the improvements, Figure- 1 is a vertical sectional view of a roller, parts of the construction being shown in full lines. Fig. 2 is an end view of means for winding up and temporarily holding a shaft of the roller; but the parts shown in this view are not of my invention except so far as they may constitute an element in my combination. Fig.v 3 is a plan view .of the connection between the spring and a collar or sleeve, and Fig. 4 is a sectional view on the line m, Fig. 3.

In the several views, where like parts are designated by corresponding characters of reference, 1 and 1 designate the end casings, between which the roller is located.

2 designates a rotary shaft, and 2 a fixed shaft, on which the roller is mounted. The outer end of the rotary shaft is journaled in the left-hand end casing, as shown in Fig. 1,

and the iixed shaft is keyed in the right-hand end casing. v

3 and 3a designate hubs keyed to the shafts 2 and 2a, respectively, 4 and 4: collars turning loosely onsaid shafts, respectively, and 5 and 5n designate coiled springs connecting the hub 3 and collar 4 and the hub 3 and collar'll, respectively.

The drum or cylinder 6 is secured to the loose collars fl andi?, so that4 if the loose shaft is held stationary both coiled springs 5 and 5a are tightened or placed under tension when the curtain is unrolled; but if the shaft 2 is released the springad only is tightened or placed under tension.

7 and 8 are collars Or hubs attached either to the shafts or nto the drum, said Collars forming merely supports for the drum.

9 designates fractions of the curtain which is to be attached, to the drum, as usual.

In Fig. 2 is illustrated means for winding up the curtain comprising a master-wheel 10, keyed to the shaft 2, and a pinion 11, journaled on the outer side of the casing and engaging the master-wheel. Y Fixed to the shaft 2 is also a star-wheel 12, any arm of which is adapted to be engaged by a notched lever 13,

pivoted on-the outer side ofv the end casing..

`while, permitting the descent of the blind tends to prevent its violent descent.

It is preferred that the power of the springs used shall be such that when the shaft 2 is locked the weight ofthe curtain willbe nearly temperature, and the gravrendered inoperative and is not -Ioo counterbalanced, so that the curtain will be self-winding and, if desired, be pulled down or pushed up in the manner of an ordinary window-shade. By the term counterbalance, therefore, l mean partly or wholly counterbalaneed. The spring construction can be varied, because the gist of the invention in this respect resides in means whereby a portion of the power of the spring or counterbalancing device may be relieved when it is desirable to have the curtain drop automatically. The two springs can of course be regarded as one counterbalaneing device for the roller and as having a portion of its tension released upon the occurrence of fire.

1G designates a U Y shaped groove in the peripheryT of the sleeve, to which the spring is attached. The surface of the sleeve within the groove is preferably inclined or beveled inward, as indicated at 16% The end of the spring is preferably made of hook shape, corresponding to the shape of the groove l5, as indicated at 16. To connect the hook-shaped end of vthe spring with the groove 1G, the said end is forced up over the incline 16 until the said end lodges bythe resilience of the spring into the groove. After the drum is put on over the periphery of the sleeve the end of the spring will be inelosed and prevented from accidental escape under the stress of use.

The forni of the parts herein shown can of course be varied without departing from the essence of the invention.

The winding-u p gears (illustrated in Fig. 2 are employed to wind up the blind when heavy, and particularly after a portion of the eounterbalancing spring has been released, as by a rise in temperature, as hereinbefore stated.

XVhat l claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A roller for iireresisting blinds, a curtain-counterbalancing device therefor and means whereby a portion of said counterbalancing device is automatically rendered inoperative by a dangerous rise of temperature.

2. A roller for nre-resisting blinds, acounterbalaneing-spring therefor, and means actuated by a rise of temperature for rendering inoperative a portion of the tension of said spring.

A roller for fire-resisting blinds comprising a drum, a fixed shaft supporting one end of the drum and a rotary shaft supporting the other, springs connecting each shaft with the drum and means for temporarily holding the rotary shaft stationary.

4f. A roller for iire-resistin g blinds comprising a drum, a fixed shaft supporting one end of the roller and a rotary shaft supporting the other, springs connecting' each shaft with the drum in combination with means for temporarily holding the rotary shaft stationary and automatically releasing the same upon a dangerous rise of temperature.

5. In a roller for fire-resisting blinds, a tension-spring therefor having its end bent to hook form, in combination with a sleeve or collar having a socket for said hook in its periphery.

(i. In a roller for fire-resisting blinds, a tension-spring therefor having its end bent to hook forni, in combination with a sleeve or collar having a socket for said hook in its periphery and an inclined portion over which the hook rides into said socket.

ln testimony whereof I ai'lix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN VOLI".

XVitn esses:

GEO. M. FINcKuL, U. E. JUSTIN. 

